On anniversary of MLK’s assassination, Vice Chairwoman Edmonson calls for an end to “Stand Your Ground”

Vice Chairwoman Edmonson and Commissioner Monestime present a Certificate of Appreciation to the Executive Director and Board Members of the MLK Economic Development Corporation.

Photo Credits: Armando Rodriguez / Miami-Dade County Photographer

Commemorating the 44th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, Vice Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson urged the community to continue his fight for justice and equality by supporting a revision of the State's "Stand your Ground" law.

In the wake of the senseless death of young Trayvon Martin, the Miami-Dade County Commission unanimously urged the State Legislature to revise or repeal the law at its April 3, 2012 meeting. Vice Chairwoman Edmonson spoke at the ninth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Candlelight Memorial Service held April 4, 2012 at N.W. 7th Avenue and 62nd. Street, Miami.

"I believe that Dr. King did not imagine that the same justice system he fought so hard to change has made new laws to shield the guilty and not protect the innocent," Vice Chairwoman Edmonson said. ""The senseless death of the defenseless Trayvon Martin should not be disguised as an act of self-defense. We must protect our children from poorly written laws that hurt more than help, especially our most vulnerable residents."

Vice Chairwoman Edmonson told the crowd that she stood before them with "a humble yet heavy heart. I am humbled that I can speak about a man that fought for justice and equality and dreamed that one day our nation would stand together in unity embracing our differences and recognizing our commonalities," she said. "I am yet heavy hearted that at times we are reminded that our differences are apparent and that more and more our commonalities are fleeting.

"The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about our children in future tense, even though his very own children were targets of injustice. He often used the words 'one day' when referring to his hopes for them and all our nation's children. I believe that he did not imagine 44 years later that our children would still suffer at the hands of the unjust," Vice Chairwoman Edmonson said.

She urged the crowd to "continue the legacy that has been laid out for us. Let's fight for to justice and equality for Dr. King and for Trayvon Martin and his family. There is more we need to do to reclaim the dream. We owe it to ourselves, our community, our nation and more important, to our children," Vice Chairwoman Edmonson said.